Heart Health

There’s nothing more frightening than having a heart condition that can quite literally kill you on the spot the way that heart attacks and cardiac arrest can, but it is of critical importance that you don’t confuse the two or pretend that they are interchangeable.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

By understanding the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack you’ll be able to better manage any dangerous situation you find yourself in – or that you may find a stranger and – and you’ll have a much better chance of surviving this dangerous and potentially deadly situation.

Here are some critical differences between the two so that you know exactly what you’re dealing with.

Breaking down a heart attack

Heart attacks are caused by some type of blockage that it impedes and cuts down on the amount of circulation occurring in your coronary arteries.

These blockages are going to prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching your heart, and if the artery doesn’t reopen fast enough your heart is going to (quite literally) starved to death. Heart attacks are often times incredibly sudden and very intense, but can be a much slower process that happens over a period of days or even weeks – which is why you need to be on the lookout for these symptoms.

If you think you’re dealing with a heart attack call emergency services immediately and communicate to them exactly what you’re dealing with. Whatever you do, do not drive to the hospital as you may have a heart attack on the way and help what reach you fast enough.

Breaking down cardiac arrest

Unlike heart attacks, cardiac arrest is caused by a major malfunction in the electrical signaling that causes your heart to beat in the first place.

Because of this of regularity your heart is going to stop functioning completely because of the arrhythmia, and you aren’t going to be able to move blood throughout your body. 87% of all cardiac arrest situations are deadly, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that they are mistaken for a heart attack.

You’ll notice cardiac arrest occurring in another individual because that person is going to lose consciousness of immediately and have no pulse. You need to get them to a hospital ASAP, as they are almost always going to die within moments if they do not receive immediate treatment.

Load them up into a vehicle and speed just as fast as you can to a medical facility. The police will understand why you were driving so fast when you arrive at the hospital and explain the situation to them.